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M634 Experimental High-Powered Semi-Armor-Piercing: Difference between revisions

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{{Era|FS|H2|H3}}
{{Status|Canon}}
{{Ratings}}
[[File:Ammo_-BR.png|thumb|150px|An M634 9.5×40mm KURZ from ''[[The Art of Halo 3]]''.]]
{{FOF-1}}
'''M634 Experimental High-Powered Semi-Armor-Piercing''', abbreviated as '''M634 X-HP-SAP''' or '''M634 9.5×40mm HP-SAP''', and also known as the '''9.5×40mm KURZ''',<ref name="art3">'''[[The Art of Halo 3]]''', ''page 57''</ref>{{Ref/Note|''Kurz'' is a German word for "short".}} is a 9.5×40mm rifle cartridge made specifically for the BR55, the BR75,{{Ref/Book|Id=EN|Enc22|Page=168}} and the BR85 series.<ref name="waypoint">[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/weapons/battle-rifle '''Halo Waypoint''': ''Battle Rifle'']</ref>
''9.5x40mm'' '''M634 Experimental High-Powered Semi-Armor-Piercing''' (abbreviated '''M634 X-HP-SAP''') ammunition is a type of [[United Nations Space Command]] .374-caliber rifle projectile that is made specifically for the [[UNSC]] [[Battle Rifle|BR55 Battle Rifle series]].
==Introduction==
Introduced along with the BR55 [[Battle Rifle]] as an improvement over the standard 7.62x51mm [[assault rifle|assault rifles]] in the [[UNSC]]'s inventory, this intermediate round provides good accuracy, controllability, and effectiveness against most [[Covenant]] personnel. Unlike most ammunition types in the Halo games, this is not a real-life [[ammo]] type.


==Physics==
==Overview==
The 9.5mm cartridge's performance is consistent with other special-purpose rifle calibers, offering high power and accuracy in close-combat engagements. The maximum effective range of the BR55 Battle Rifle against energy-shielded targets is around 200 meters. This is fairly limited compared to most modern 7.62x51mm Main Battle Rifles, which leads us to believe that the 9.5mm cartridge is a special medium-velocity, medium-mass round of approximately 200-220 grains/13.0-14.2 grams weight, traveling at a velocity of around 1,800 to 2,200 fps/550 to 670 m/s. In a rifle weighing anywhere between 8.5 to 11 pounds, this would produce manageable felt recoil that could be placed somewhere between that of the modern-day AK-47 and a full-power rifle such as the FN FAL, with a muzzle energy of around 3,200 joules, although it is only an estimation based on the width of the cartridge and how many rounds it takes to kill an opponent. However, because Halo is in the future, it probably has a more advanced powder, resulting in a higher muzzle velocity. Unlike modern rifles, its bullets in game are untraceably fast, meaning it probably has a speed of 1250 meters per second or higher. For reference, one 14.5x114mm round from the SRS99C-S2 AM is equal to around 30,000 joules of muzzle energy, and since 2,500 joules times twelve rounds equals 30,000, it follows that each round from the BR55 possesses more energy than a 7.62x39mm round, but less energy than a real-world 7.62x51mm round.
The M634 X-HP-SAP was developed in conjunction with the prototype [[XBR55 Battle Rifle]]. As an experimental round, its use is only limited to the [[BR55 Battle Rifle]], the [[BR55 Heavy Barrel Service Rifle]], the [[BR75|BR75 Battle Rifle]], and the [[BR85 Heavy Barrel Service Rifle]]. While the round was designated as experimental around [[2525]], at some point between then and [[2558]], the "experimental" designation was dropped, becoming the M634 9.5×40mm HP-SAP.{{Ref/Reuse|waypoint}}


Ironically, this makes for a bit of an inconsistency regarding damage ratios of the powerful 7.62x51mm round versus the 9.5mm. In ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]'', it takes 16 direct headshots at close range to kill an opponent with the MA5B. Compare this with 12 rounds (four bursts) from the BR55. If the UNSC's weapons were to conform to real-life ballistics, each individual 7.62x51mm round from the MA5B Assault Rifle would actually do over 37% ''more'' damage and remain effective at much longer ranges than each 9.5x40mm round, at the expense of very poor controllability on fully-automatic fire.
==Properties==
As designated in its name, the M634 X-HP-SAP is an experimental round. It uses a special propellant that allows it to achieve a higher muzzle velocity than the M118 7.62×51mm round while using a smaller cartridge. It is also semi-armor-piercing, meaning that it mixes the properties of an [[armor piercing round]] with the properties of another type of round. The second type is unknown, though it is most likely similar to the [[M225 SAP-HE]] used in the [[M6 Series]].


The 7.62x51mm round should technically be capable of bringing down an energy-shielded opponent with almost ''half'' as many shots as the MA5B. 3,400-4,000 joules per round is equal to between 9 and 7 shots, respectively, per energy-shielded opponent. However, the effect of standard FMJ projectiles on energy-shielded targets may be poorly understood. It is entirely possible that the armor-piercing capacity and high velocity of the 7.62x51mm AP round cause it to over-penetrate the target's armor and glance off its shields without fully transferring its energy into the target, greatly limiting its wounding potential.<br />
==Gallery==
                                                          [[Image:Whitebkgrdrifle.jpg|131px|right]]<br />
<gallery>
Nevertheless, the Battle Rifle's most salient advantage over the MA5-series of weapons is its ability to place more armor-piercing rounds on-target, delivering a three-round burst in very small, accurate groups. To achieve the same accuracy in a MA5x-series weapon, you must fire in either single shots, or two-round bursts, both of which possessing less total kinetic energy delivered on-target than with the BR-55's distinctive three-shot burst.
File:H2A 9.5x40mm in Mag.jpg|thumb|A 9.5×40mm cartridge in a magazine used to feed the [[BR55 Service Rifle|BR55 service rifle]] in ''[[Halo 2: Anniversary]]'' multiplayer.
File:H2A BR55 Spent Brass.jpg|thumb|Spent 9.5×40mm casings ejecting from a [[BR55]] in ''Halo 2: Anniversary'' multiplayer.
</gallery>


The 9.5x40mm cartridge is used in standard 36-round magazines for the BR55, providing the shooter with twelve bursts before a reload is required. Why UNSC weapon designers chose to omit a fire selector for the weapon is unknown, but the fact remains that the rifle would surely benefit from the ability to fire in single-shot and full-auto modes, despite the limited effectiveness of single shots against energy-shielded targets.
==List of appearances==
*''[[Halo: First Strike]]'' {{1st}}
*''[[Halo 2]]''
*''[[Halo 3]]''
*''[[Halo: Evolutions - Essential Tales of the Halo Universe]]''
*''[[Halo 4]]''
**''[[Spartan Ops]]''
*''[[Halo: Spartan Assault]]''
*''[[Halo: Escalation]]''
*''[[Halo 2: Anniversary]]''
*''[[Halo 5: Guardians]]''
*''[[Halo Infinite]]''
==Notes==
{{Ref/Notes}}


The only weapon that uses this caliber cartridge is the BR55 [[Battle Rifle]], which first appeared in [[Halo 2]] and returned in [[Halo 3]]. The fact that the Battle Rifle does much more damage than the original Assault Rifle could have to do with the higher knockdown power and kinetic energy transfer effect of the larger projectiles.
==Sources==
{{Ref/Sources}}


Overall, the 9.5mm x 40 Experimental Armor-Piercing round is an excellent medium-range intermediate cartridge, providing comparable effectiveness to the antiquated Russian 9x39mm round. The 9x39mm SP-5 and SP-6 subsonic armor piercing cartridges, which were developed for a series of special purpose sniper rifles and compact assault rifles, are also similar in use to the 9.5x40mm cartridge in the BR55. In many ways, the Battle Rifle is more of a true Assault Rifle than the MA5x-series, as its shorter, more controllable cartridge provides it with a great deal of accuracy and effectiveness against armored and energy-shielded foes in a wide variety of situations.
{{Ammunition}}
==Related Pages==
{{UNSC Infantry Weapons}}
 
[[Category:Ammunition]]

Latest revision as of 08:11, December 21, 2023

An M634 9.5×40mm KURZ from The Art of Halo 3.

M634 Experimental High-Powered Semi-Armor-Piercing, abbreviated as M634 X-HP-SAP or M634 9.5×40mm HP-SAP, and also known as the 9.5×40mm KURZ,[1][Note 1] is a 9.5×40mm rifle cartridge made specifically for the BR55, the BR75,[2] and the BR85 series.[3]

Overview[edit]

The M634 X-HP-SAP was developed in conjunction with the prototype XBR55 Battle Rifle. As an experimental round, its use is only limited to the BR55 Battle Rifle, the BR55 Heavy Barrel Service Rifle, the BR75 Battle Rifle, and the BR85 Heavy Barrel Service Rifle. While the round was designated as experimental around 2525, at some point between then and 2558, the "experimental" designation was dropped, becoming the M634 9.5×40mm HP-SAP.[3]

Properties[edit]

As designated in its name, the M634 X-HP-SAP is an experimental round. It uses a special propellant that allows it to achieve a higher muzzle velocity than the M118 7.62×51mm round while using a smaller cartridge. It is also semi-armor-piercing, meaning that it mixes the properties of an armor piercing round with the properties of another type of round. The second type is unknown, though it is most likely similar to the M225 SAP-HE used in the M6 Series.

Gallery[edit]

List of appearances[edit]

Notes[edit]

  1. ^ Kurz is a German word for "short".

Sources[edit]

  1. ^ The Art of Halo 3, page 57
  2. ^ Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition), page 168
  3. ^ a b Halo Waypoint: Battle Rifle

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